System and method for the effective, reliable and foolproof delivery of embolic agents

ABSTRACT

A delivery system for the delivery of embolic agents to a patient includes a control valve assembly interconnecting first, second, third and fourth conduits, wherein the control valve assembly selectively moves between first, second, and third states under the control of a medical professional. In the first state, the first conduit communicates with the second conduit for transmitting a solution of embolic agents between a first syringe secured to the first conduit and a second syringe secured to the second conduit. In the second state, the second conduit communicates with the third conduit for transmitting the solution of embolic agents from the second syringe to a delivery catheter secured to the third conduit. In the third state, the third conduit communicates with the fourth conduit for flushing the delivery catheter via a third syringe, which is filled with saline, connected to the fourth conduit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/113,806, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THEEFFECTIVE, RELIABLE AND FOOLPROOF DELIVERY OF EMBOLIC AGENTS,” filedFeb. 9, 2015.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a system for safely and efficiently providingfor embolic agent delivery.

2. Description of the Related Art

The major impediment to precise delivery and administration of embolicagents is dilution and suspension. As those skilled in the artappreciate, embolic agents are those materials used therapeutically as atreatment for bleeding or some types of cancer by deliberately blockingblood vessels.

Inappropriate solution and dilution can lead to premature aggregationand occlusion of the delivery catheter and/or target vessel. It can alsolead to embolization at undesired locations within the vasculature.Current systems for the delivery of embolic agents require multiplepieces of equipment that must be connected/disconnected in a mannermaking delivery cumbersome and susceptible to spills.

For example, purging the delivery catheter with saline often requiresremoval of the delivery syringe which is cumbersome and time consuming.With appropriate dilution and solution, plus purging, a more-controlledprecision delivery can be obtained, thereby lessening the chance fornon-target embolization. Another big challenge in embolic agent deliveryis in the use of the standard 3-way stopcock. In order for the physicianto properly perform the procedure, it is common for them to disconnectsyringes. This is cumbersome, especially when dealing with chemotherapy.

With the application of the Applicant's proprietary technology aspreviously described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/857,448,which is incorporated herein by reference, it is possible to make thedelivery of embolic agents more user-friendly and more precise, withless chance for complications. With the proprietary valve described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/857,448, one is able to keep embolicproducts in suspension and deliver them more efficiently than everbefore.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide adelivery system for the delivery of embolic agents to a patient. Thedelivery system includes a control valve assembly interconnecting first,second, third and fourth conduits, wherein the control valve assemblyselectively moves between first, second, and third states under thecontrol of a medical professional. In the first state, the first conduitcommunicates with the second conduit for transmitting a solution ofembolic agents between a first syringe secured to the first conduit anda second syringe secured to the second conduit. In the second state, thesecond conduit communicates with the third conduit for transmitting thesolution of embolic agents from the second syringe to a deliverycatheter secured to the third conduit. In the third state, the thirdconduit communicates with the fourth conduit for flushing the deliverycatheter via a third syringe, which is filled with saline, connected tothe fourth conduit.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a deliverysystem wherein while in the first state, the first and second conduits,and ultimately the first and second syringes, are isolated from thethird and fourth conduits; while in the second state, the second andthird conduits, as well as the second syringe and the patient, areisolated from the first conduit and fourth conduit; and while in thethird state, the third and fourth conduits, as well as the patient andthe third syringe, are isolated from the first conduit and secondconduit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a deliverysystem wherein the control valve assembly includes a valve body havingselectively aligned first, second, third and fourth passageways thatdefine the first, second, third and fourth conduits, respectively, toallow for the controlled application of embolic agents to a patient.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a deliverysystem wherein a stopcock is rotatably mounted within the valve body andincludes an angled channel having a pair of communicably interconnectedchannel segments interconnected at an angle that is generally equivalentto the angle formed between each adjacent pair of non-aligned first,second, third and fourth passageways in the valve body such that thestopcock is rotatable to align the channel segments with a selectedadjacent pair of the first, second, third and fourth passageways topermit communication between those passageways in a highly controlledmanner.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a deliverysystem wherein the stopcock is selectively adjusted between first,second and third positions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a deliverysystem wherein in the first position the channel segments communicablyinterconnect the first passageway defining the first conduit and thesecond passageway defining the second conduit for functioning accordancewith the first state.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a deliverysystem wherein in the second position the channel segments communicablyinterconnect the second passageway defining the second conduit and thethird passageway defining the third conduit for functioning inaccordance with the second state.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a deliverysystem wherein in the third position the channel segments communicablyinterconnect the third passageway defining the third conduit and thefourth passageway defining the fourth conduit for functioning inaccordance with the third state.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a deliverysystem wherein the third conduit includes a one-way valve for limitingflow to a single direction from a source to the patient and forpreventing flow in an opposite direction.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a deliverysystem wherein the fourth conduit includes a one-way valve and a fittingfor selective and sealable connection of the third syringe.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method forthe delivery of embolic agents to a patient. The method employs a flowcontrol system composed of a control valve assembly that interconnectsfirst, second, third and fourth conduits, the control valve assemblyselectively moving between first, second, and third states under controlof a medical professional. The method includes the steps of securing afirst syringe containing a solution of embolic agents to the firstconduit and securing a second syringe to the second conduit, securing acatheter to the third conduit, the catheter being deployed within apatient at a desired location, and securing a third syringe containingsaline to the fourth conduit. With the control valve assembly in thefirst state, the method is performed by actuating the first syringe toforce the solution of embolic agents to the second conduit and thesecond syringe. With the control valve assembly in the second state, themethod is performed by actuating the second syringe to move the solutionof embolic agents from the second syringe, through the second conduitand third conduit, and into the catheter and ultimately to the desiredlocation within the patient. With the control valve assembly in thethird state, the method is performed by actuating the third syringe tointroduce saline from the third syringe into the catheter to flush anyembolic agents therefrom.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description when viewed inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certainembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present delivery system for embolicagents.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the present delivery system.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the control valve assembly of thepresent delivery system.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are schematic views of the control valve assemblyin the first, second and third positions, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. Itshould be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiment is merelyexemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted aslimiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art howto make and/or use the invention.

The present invention provides a delivery system 10 for the effective,reliable and foolproof delivery of controlled amounts of embolic agentsto a patient. In accordance with the present invention, and withreference to the various figures, delivery is achieved through theutilization of a multi-part valve delivery system 10. The multi-partvalve delivery system 10 delivers a solution of embolic agents andpurging saline in precisely controlled amounts sequentially through aseries of syringes 12, 14, 16 such that it is practically impossible toimproperly deliver the medical fluids to the patient. At the same time,the various syringes 12, 14, 16 delivering the solution of embolicagents and the purging saline do not have to be disconnected andreconnected during the administration to the patient. This greatlyreduces the intrusion of undesirable components into the medical fluidsbeing delivered.

The delivery system 10 of this invention is particularly beneficial fordelivering embolic agents, for example, embolic microspheres or embolicfoam gel, for medical use. For example, it is appreciated embolicmicrospheres in the form of non-spherical polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)particles, spherical tris-acryl particles, or calibrated microspheresconsisting of a hydrogel core of polymethylmethacrylate with a thincoating of polyzene-F in a saline solution are used in variousprocedures and may be used in accordance with the present invention.Similarly, it is appreciated embolic foam gel in the form of low densityshape memory polymer foams are used in various procedures and may beused in accordance with the present invention. In medical uses, theseembolic agents are used to create controlled embolization for variousmedical procedures, for example, gastro-intestinal bleeding, cancertreatment, and tumor treatment.

The delivery of embolic agents is achieved through the utilization ofthe delivery system 10 as disclosed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Thepresent delivery system 10 provides an improved, foolproof mechanism forsafely delivering controlled amounts of embolic agents to a patientutilizing a multi-part valve that delivers the embolic agents inprecisely controlled amounts sequentially through a series of syringes12, 14, 16 so as to reduce the possibility of improper solutionpreparation and dilution, minimize the potential for prematureaggregation and occlusion of the delivery catheter 20 and/or targetvessel, and improve purging of the delivery catheter 20 with saline.Ultimately, the present delivery system 10 makes the delivery of embolicagents more user-friendly and more precise, with less chance forcomplications.

The delivery system 10 provides for controlled delivery of embolicagents from a source of such embolic agents, for example, a firstsyringe 12 filled with a solution of embolic agents to a patient.Briefly, and as will be explained below in greater detail, the deliverysystem 10 includes a control valve assembly 32 interconnecting first,second, third and fourth conduits 22, 26, 28, 30 wherein the controlvalve assembly 32 selectively moves between first, second, and thirdstates under the control of a medical professional for the controlleddelivery of the embolic agents. The solution containing the embolicagents is connected to a first conduit 22 of the delivery system 10.With the stopcock 44 of the valve lever 58 of the control valve assembly32 of the delivery system 10 in the first position (see FIG. 4A), thefirst and second syringes 12, 14, respectively connected to the firstand second conduits 22, 26 of the delivery system 10, are manually andalternately actuated to push fluid between the two syringes 12, 14 in amanner agitating the embolic agent and enabling the embolic agent toremain in a suspended state within the solution as the solution isforced to move between the two syringes 12, 14. The stopcock 44 of thecontrol valve assembly 32 of the delivery system 10 is then put into thesecond position (see FIG. 4B) to deliver the embolic agents containedwithin the second syringe 14 to the delivery catheter 20 secured to thethird conduit 28 of the delivery system 10 and ultimately to a patientreceiving fluid from the delivery catheter 20. When the embolic agentshave been delivered, the stopcock 44 of the control valve assembly 32 ofthe delivery system 10 is then put into the third position (see FIG. 4C)enabling saline from a third syringe 16 coupled to the fourth conduit 30of the delivery system 10 to flush the delivery catheter 20, preventingocclusion of the delivery catheter 20 with embolic agents remainingwithin the delivery catheter 20 and non-target embolization.

As briefly mentioned above, the delivery system 10 includes a controlvalve assembly 32 that interconnects the first, second, third and fourthconduits 22, 26, 28, 30. The control valve assembly 32 selectively movesbetween first, second, and third states under the control of a medicalprofessional. In the first state, the first conduit 22 communicates withthe second conduit 26 for transmitting the solution of embolic agentsbetween the first syringe 12 secured to the first conduit 22 and thesecond syringe 14 secured to the second conduit 26. While in the firststate, the first and second conduits 22, 26, and ultimately the firstand second syringes 12, 14, are isolated from the third and fourthconduits 28, 30, as well as any structure connected thereto.

In the second state, the second conduit 26 communicates with the thirdconduit 28 for transmitting embolic agents from the second syringe 14secured to the second conduit to the delivery catheter 20 secured to thethird conduit and ultimately to the patient. In this way, the secondsyringe 14 secured to the second conduit 26 communicates with thepatient via the delivery catheter 20 based upon the interconnectionbetween the second conduit 26 and the patient outlet, third conduit 28.As with the first state, the second and third conduits 26, 28, as wellas the second syringe 14, the delivery catheter 20 and the patient, areisolated from the first conduit 22 and fourth conduit 30.

In the third state, the third conduit 28 communicates with the fourthconduit 30 such that the third syringe 16, which is filled with saline,connected to the fourth conduit 30 communicates with the delivery (oroutlet) catheter 20 secured to the third conduit (and the patient) toallow one to flush the delivery catheter 20 leading to the patient. Aswith the first and second states, the third and fourth conduits 28, 30,as well as the patient and the saline filled third syringe 16, areisolated from the first conduit 22 and second conduit 26.

In one embodiment, the control valve assembly 32 includes a valve body34 having selectively aligned first, second, third and fourthpassageways 36, 38, 40, 42 that define the first, second, third andfourth conduits 22, 26, 28, 30, respectively, to allow for thecontrolled application of embolic agents to a patient. A stopcock 44 ismounted rotatably within the valve body 34 and includes an angledchannel 46 having a pair of communicably interconnected channel segments48 a, 48 b that extend axially at an acute angle to one another. Thechannel segments 48 a, 48 b of the stopcock 44 are interconnected at anangle that is generally equivalent to the angle formed between eachadjacent pair of non-aligned first, second, third and fourth passageways36, 38, 40, 42 in the valve body 34 such that the stopcock 44 isrotatable to align the channel segments 48 a, 48 b with a selectedadjacent pair of the first, second, third and fourth passageways 36, 38,40, 42 (that is, the first, second, third and fourth conduits 22, 26,28, 30) to permit medical fluids communication between those passagewaysin a highly controlled manner.

As explained above, the stopcock 44 is selectively adjusted betweenfirst, second and third positions. In the first position (see FIG. 4A),the channel segments 48 a, 48 b communicably interconnect the firstpassageway 36 defining the first conduit 22 and the second passageway 38defining the second conduit 26. Embolic agents introduced through afirst syringe 12 connected to the first conduit 22 may then beselectively transmitted between the first syringe 12 connected to thefirst conduit 22 and the second syringe 14 connected to the secondconduit 26. In this way, the solution in which the embolic agents are tobe delivered is moved so as to maintain the embolic agents in suspensionby mechanical agitation within the solution prior to delivery to thepatient. The solution may be pushed back and forth between the first andsecond syringes 12, 14 as desired until such a time that delivery to thepatient is desired. The embolic agents are thereby transmitted betweenthe first conduit 22 and the channel 46 of the stopcock 44 to the secondconduit 26. This directs the embolic agents to a second syringe 14attached thereto. In the second valve position (see FIG. 4B), thestopcock 44 aligns the channel segments 48 a, 48 b with the second andthird passageways 38, 40 defining the second and third conduits 26, 28,respectively. This isolates the solution of embolic agents in the secondsyringe 14 from both the first and fourth conduits 22, 30. The secondsyringe 14 is operated to direct the solution of embolic agents throughthe second conduit 26, the stopcock channel 46 and the third conduit 28into the delivery catheter 20 joined to the patient. In the third valveposition (see FIG. 4C), the stopcock 44 is rotated to align the channelsegments 48 a, 48 b with the third passageway 40 and the fourthpassageway 42 defining the third conduit 28 and fourth conduit 30,respectively. This isolates the embolic agents in the delivery catheter20 and the patient from the first syringe 12 secured to the firstconduit 22 and the second syringe 14 secured to the second conduit 26.The third syringe 16 secured to the fourth conduit 30 is then operatedto drive saline within the third syringe 16 through the fourth conduit30, the channel 46 of the stopcock 44 and the delivery (or outlet)catheter 20 at the third conduit 28.

The first and second conduits 22, 26 preferably include fittings 22 f,26 f, for example, Luer fittings, for selectively connecting the firstsyringe 12 containing a solution of embolic agents and the secondsyringe 14 to the control valve assembly 32. The third conduit 28includes a one-way valve 28 v for limiting the flow of embolic agents orsaline to a single direction from the source of either the solution ofembolic agents or saline to the patient and for preventing flow in theopposite direction. As for the fourth conduit 30 it includes both aone-way valve 30 v and a fitting 30 f, for example, a Luer fitting, forselective and sealable connection of the third syringe 16 with thecontrol valve assembly 32. The one-way valve 30 v of the fourth conduit30 limits the flow of saline from the third syringe 16 to a singledirection from the third syringe 16 to the delivery catheter 20 andpatient, while preventing flow in the opposite direction.

The three-stage control valve assembly 32 includes a generally K-shapedvalve body 34, which is preferably composed of various medical gradeplastics, metals and/or metal alloys. Typically, the valve body 34includes a molded or otherwise unitary construction. More particularly,the valve body 34 includes aligned first, second, third and fourthbranches 50, 52, 54, 56 which respectively include the previouslydiscussed internal first, second, third and fourth passageways 36, 38,40, 42. Each of the first, second, third and fourth branches 50, 52, 54,56, as well as the first, second, third and fourth passageways 36, 38,40, 42, extends at an angle of substantially 60 degrees relative to theadjacent branches (or passageways) of the valve body 34.

In particular, the first and second branches 50, 52 (and passageways 36,38) extend at an angle of substantially 60 degrees to one another, thesecond and third branches 52, 54 (and passageways 38, 40) extend at anangle of substantially 60 degrees to one another, and the third andfourth branches 54, 56 (and passageways 40, 42) extend at an angle ofsubstantially 60 degrees to one another. Accordingly, the first andfourth branches 50, 56 (and passageways 36, 42) are substantiallyaligned and form a 180 degrees angle.

Accordingly, the angled channel 46 of the stopcock 44 includescommunicably interconnected channel segments 48 a, 48 b havingrespective longitudinal axes that extend at an angle of approximately 60degrees to one another. As used herein, “approximately 60 degrees”should be understood to mean that the angle formed between therespective longitudinal axes of the channel segments 48 a, 48 b issubstantially equivalent to the angle formed between the longitudinalaxes of respective pairs of the non-aligned adjacent passageways 36, 38,40, 42 of valve body 34 (e.g. respective pairs of passageways). Thisenables the channel segments 48 a, 48 b to be communicably aligned witha selected pair of the passageways 36, 38, 40, 42 in the mannerdescribed more fully herein. It should be understood that in alternativeembodiments the passageways and channel segments may have othercorresponding angles. This is particularly applicable when the intakeand discharge passageways and/or the inlet and outlet conduits are notaligned.

A valve lever 58 is mounted to the valve body 34 (in particular, to thestopcock 44) for selectively rotating the stopcock 44 into a selectedone of three positions. Such selective positioning of the stopcock 44provides for controlled multiple stage delivery of embolic agentsthrough the control valve assembly 32 from the first conduit 22 to theoutlet third conduit 28. This operation is described more fully below.

The delivery system 10 is operated to deliver embolic agents to apatient in a controlled and extremely safe and reliable manner. Thisoperation is performed as follows. The first syringe 12 containing thesolution of embolic agents is secured to the first conduit 22 and thesecond syringe 14 (which may contain saline or additional medicine to bemixed with the solution of embolic agents) is secured to the secondconduit 26. The patient outlet, third conduit 28 likewise iscommunicably interconnected with the delivery catheter 20 that isdeployed within a patient at a desired location. Finally, the thirdsyringe 16 containing saline is secured to the fourth conduit 30.

After control valve assembly 32 has been interconnected with the patientand the various syringes 12, 14, 16, the stopcock 44 is operated by thevalve lever 58 to align the channel segments 48 a, 48 b of the stopcockchannel 46 with the passageways 36, 38, 40, 42 (and conduits 22, 26, 28,30) respectively. With the valve lever 58 in the first position (seeFIG. 4A), the first syringe 12 may be actuated to force the solution ofembolic agents to the second conduit 26 and the second syringe 14. Thefirst and second syringes 12, 14 may then be actuated to move thesolution therebetween as desired. It is appreciated the specific mannerin which the first and second syringes 12, 14 are actuated is determinedbased upon the specific composition of the embolic agent and suchagitation of the embolic agent is performed in a manner that maintainsthe embolic agent in suspension such that it functions in a desirablemanner when delivered to the patient.

Once it is desired to deliver the solution of embolic agents to thepatient, the second syringe 14 is filled to a desired level and thevalve lever 58 is moved to its second position (see FIG. 4B) aligningthe channel segments 48 a, 48 b of the stopcock channel 46 with thesecond and third passageways 38, 40 (and conduits 26, 28), and isolatingthe other passageways and conduits therefrom. The second syringe 14 maythen be depressed to move solution from the second syringe 14, throughthe channel segments 48 a, 48 b of the of the stopcock channel 46, intothe delivery catheter 20 and ultimately to a desired location within thepatient. It should appreciated the solution of embolic agents aredelivered through the one-way valve 28 v of the third conduit 28 and theone-way valve 28 v prevents backflow of embolic agents.

Once the solution of embolic agents is fully delivered, the valve lever58 is moved to its third position (see FIG. 4C) aligning the channelsegments 48 a, 48 b of the stopcock channel 46 with the third and fourthpassageways 40, 42 (and conduits 28, 30), and isolating the otherpassageways and conduits therefrom. At this point, saline from the thirdsyringe 16 may be introduced into the delivery catheter 20 to flush anyembolic agents therefrom so as to prevent undesired accumulation of theembolic agents therein. The one-way valves 28 v, 30 v of the third andfourth conduits 28, 30 prevent backflow of the saline.

It is appreciated the lever 58 may be configured as an arrow orotherwise marked to include an arrow that points in the direction of theintended embolic agents flow. Accordingly, the present delivery system10 enables controlled amounts of embolic agents to be delivered to thepatient in a safe and reliable manner. After the components areconnected, they may remain connected during the entire medical procedureand do not then have to be disconnected and reconnected. This minimizesthe possibility that air will intrude into the system and endanger thepatient. Controlled and precise dosages of embolic agents are delivered,by the simple and foolproof operation of the control valve assembly 32,from the reservoir first syringe 12 to the push-draw second syringe 14and then to the patient. At each stage of the process, unselectedpassageways of the valve assembly 32 remain totally isolated from usedpassageways so that the risk of administering embolic agents in anundesirable manner is minimized.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form orembodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that thisdescription has been given only by way of example, and that numerouschanges in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, includingthe combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A delivery system for the delivery ofembolic agents to a patient, comprising: a control valve assemblyinterconnecting first, second, third and fourth conduits, a firstsyringe containing a solution of embolic agents and connected to thefirst conduit, a second syringe connected to the second conduit, and athird syringe containing saline connected to the fourth conduit, whereinthe control valve assembly selectively moves between first, second, andthird states under the control of a medical professional such that inthe first state the first conduit communicates with the second conduitto transmit the solution of embolic agents between the first syringesecured to the first conduit and the second syringe secured to thesecond conduit; in the second state the second conduit communicates withthe third conduit to transmit the solution of embolic agents from thesecond syringe to a delivery catheter secured to the third conduit; inthe third state, the third conduit communicates with the fourth conduitto flush the delivery catheter via the third syringe, which is filledwith saline, connected to the fourth conduit; wherein while in the firststate, the first and second conduits, and ultimately the first andsecond syringes, are isolated from the third and fourth conduits; whilein the second state, the second and third conduits, as well as thesecond syringe and the patient, are isolated from the first conduit andfourth conduit; and while in the third state, the third and fourthconduits, as well as the patient and the third syringe, are isolatedfrom the first conduit and second conduit.
 2. The delivery systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the third conduit includes a one-way valvefor limiting flow to a single direction from a source to the patient andfor preventing flow in an opposite direction.
 3. The delivery systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the fourth conduit includes a one-wayvalve and a fitting for selective and sealable connection of the thirdsyringe.
 4. A delivery system for the delivery of embolic agents to apatient, comprising: a control valve assembly interconnecting first,second, third and fourth conduits, a first syringe containing a solutionof embolic agents and connected to the first conduit, a second syringeconnected to the second conduit, and a third syringe containing salineconnected to the fourth conduit, wherein the control valve assemblyselectively moves between first, second, and third states under thecontrol of a medical professional such that in the first state the firstconduit communicates with the second conduit to transmit the solution ofembolic agents between the first syringe secured to the first conduitand the second syringe secured to the second conduit; in the secondstate the second conduit communicates with the third conduit to transmitthe solution of embolic agents from the second syringe to a deliverycatheter secured to the third conduit; in the third state, the thirdconduit communicates with the fourth conduit to flush the deliverycatheter via the third syringe, which is filled with saline, connectedto the fourth conduit; wherein the control valve assembly includes avalve body having selectively aligned first, second, third and fourthpassageways that define the first, second, third and fourth conduits,respectively, to allow for the controlled application of embolic agentsto a patient; wherein a stopcock is rotatably mounted within the valvebody and includes an angled channel having a pair of communicablyinterconnected channel segments interconnected at an angle that isgenerally equivalent to the angle formed between each adjacent pair ofnon-aligned first, second, third and fourth passageways in the valvebody such that the stopcock is rotatable to align the channel segmentswith a selected adjacent pair of the first, second, third and fourthpassageways to permit communication between those passageways in ahighly controlled manner.
 5. The delivery system according to claim 4,wherein the stopcock is selectively adjusted between first, second andthird positions.
 6. The delivery system according to claim 5, wherein inthe first position the channel segments communicably interconnect thefirst passageway defining the first conduit and the second passagewaydefining the second conduit for functioning accordance with the firststate.
 7. The delivery system according to claim 6, wherein in thesecond position the channel segments communicably interconnect thesecond passageway defining the second conduit and the third passagewaydefining the third conduit for functioning in accordance with the secondstate.
 8. The delivery system according to claim 7, wherein in the thirdposition the channel segments communicably interconnect the thirdpassageway defining the third conduit and the fourth passageway definingthe fourth conduit for functioning in accordance with the third state.